Novak Djokovic admitted that it’s taken time for him to learn how to handle pressure as he aims to win his first gold medal at the Olympics. Speaking after his win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the world number one said “pressure is a privilege” as he looks to complete the calendar Golden Slam. His comments come after Simone Biles withdrew from her remaining events at Tokyo 2020 citing mental health reasons.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion says there cannot be sport without pressure, but noted that it took him a while to learn to deal with it.
After booking his place in the Olympic quarterfinals, he said: “Pressure is a privilege, my friend. Without pressure there is no professional sport.
“If you are aiming to be at the top of the game you better start learning how to deal with pressure and how to cope with those moments – on the court but also off the court.
All that buzz and all that noise is the thing that, I can´t say I don´t see it or I don´t hear it, of course it´s there, but I´ve learned, I´ve developed the mechanism how to deal with it in such a way that it will not impose destruction to me. It will not wear me down.
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“Of course. It´s normal,” he said.
“No one is born with those abilities. Those abilities come with time.”
Even as a world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion entering the Rio 2016 games, Djokovic admitted he has even gained more experience in the years since.
He said: “I came into Rio as also a big favourite, winning four out of last five Grand Slams, number one in the world. So I know that feeling; it´s kind of a similar feeling now.
“But I´m a more experienced player; I know mentally what I need to do and how to work things around on and off the court in order to feel the best that I possible can feel.”
Elsewhere, the Serbian kicked off his mixed doubles campaign today with compatriot Nina Stojanovic.
The pair beat Luisa Stefani and Marcelo Melo 6-3 6-4.
